Client Stories: Leadership Coaching
From Manager to Coach
I recognized Vic's New York style immediately: he was smart, fast, funny, and he knew how to get things done. He had 65 people in 6 offices in his law department at a major insurance company, and there was no room for mistakes.
Vic was a litigator and a good one. He was used to speaking with authority. But what worked in the courtroom didn't always work in the office. So if a staff person wasn't doing his job well, Vic gave him orders and told him what to do. Not surprisingly, that didn't improve the situation, leaving Vic frustrated. Fundamentally, he didn't want to be criticizing someone, and that's what he felt he was doing.
Fortunately, Vic was willing to slow down long enough to hear some options and try on different approaches. He became more of an observer. Instead of having the answers (which one could understand would be an occupational hazard) he began to ask his staff what they thought happened and what they thought was needed when things didn't measure up. In other words, he learned to coach, not tell. Vic says he can now stop before judging or dismissing someone, that he can look at the big picture, be more intuitive, and has more patience and perspective when faced with a problem.
When informed by my General Counsel that I was being offered a "coach" to enhance my leadership potential, I silently accepted the offer with some skepticism. However, it did not take me long see the positive impact that Wynne's skills had on my management technique. I became a better listener and was able to more clearly recognize how my style was perceived, both positively and negatively, by others. This allowed me to deliver the same types of messages, but in a way that solicited feedback and buy in from others. Now, I set goals with my team, not for my team, resulting in honest accountability and commitment. This enables me to delegate with greater comfort than I've ever had, and with the confidence that if goals are not met to our satisfaction, that we can work together to get the job done. This isn't some sort of trick; it's really hard work. But Wynne's skills and techniques almost make it feel effortless.
—Director, House Counsel Operations